Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 208-210. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Charter inductee of the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1978.
Ella joined ASCAP in 1940, and her chief musical collaborators included Chick Webb, Lupin Fien, and Josef Myrow. Her popular-song compositions include "A-Tisket, A-Tasket", "You Showed Me the Way", "Spinnin' the Web", "I Found My Yellow basket", "Chew, Chew, Chew", "Please Tell the Truth", "Oh! But I Do", and "Just One of Those Nights".
Entombed at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California - Sunset Memorial Garden Mausoleum, Second Floor, Sanctuary of the Bells, Crypt 1063
First artist to chart in the UK with a cover of a Lennon & McCartney song, "Can't Buy Me Love" (1964).
Had a heart attack in August 1986, followed by a 5 way bypass operation.
Her adopted son, Ray Brown Jr., was in fact her nephew, the child of her younger half-sister Frances.
Her first marriage on December 26, 1941 - to Harlem hustler Ben Kornegay - was quickly annulled at the advice of her agent and concerned friends. In later years she denied having been married to Kornegay.
Her recording of The Beatles "Can't By Me Love" was one of George Martin's favorite recordings he produced.
Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1995.
Pictured on a 39¢ USA commemorative postage stamp in the Black Heritage series, issued 10 January 2007.
Ranked #13 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
She has an adopted son, Ray Brown Jr.
She was a victim in an early attempt to integrate the classical music audience in Houston, Texas. In 1955 she, Dizzy Gillespie, and Illinois Jacquet were arrested by the vice squad before a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert at Music Hall, charged with gambling backstage. They were released in time to perform, on payment of a $50 bail. Promoter Norman Granz, also arrested, indicated that the raid was a set-up in response to his insistence that the concert not be segregated.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6738 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
She was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1987 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.
Was an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.